Archives for 2015

Celebrate #DaddysDay with MAM and Life of Dad and win tickets to an MLB game or $500 prepaid card!

unnamed (3)     unnamed (4)   unnamed (5)

Happy Father’s Day from MAM!

 

Many men can be fathers but it takes a real heroine with special qualities to be a great daddy!
Share a personal story that exemplifies what makes a great daddy with #DaddysDay; MAM will select their favorite story to win a $500 prepaid card or tickets to an MLB game of your choice!

 

Also, read MAM’s Q & A with Tom Riles’ of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Life of Dad and learn why MAM is donating $500 to the Children Hospital of Los Angeles’ Heart Institute this Father’s Day: http://bit.ly/mamdaddysday

Credit: MAM. No compensation was received to post.

Father’s Day Gift Suggestions for this week!

Looking for a great Father’s Day gift? Nothing says “I love you, dad” like a gift created by a family man,Walkers Shortbread. In 1898, Joseph Walker developed the recipe for the “World’s Finest Shortbread”—117 years later, the recipe (butter, flour, sugar, salt) is still used today and his legacy is carried on through the work of his children.

I received samples and just love the Mini Shortbread Fingers! I am sure that Dad will love them!

unnamed

Find them at http://us.walkersshortbread.com/shop.aspx.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. No other compensation was received. Photo Credit: Walkers Shortbread.

Summer Beauty Secret: Colgate Optic White

Optic White Regimen- white background         COW_Express White-white background300

Your smile is an important beauty feature! So, taking care of your smile is really important! Colgate Optic PLATINUM White Express Toothpaste is my new beauty secret!

Colgate introduces a new revolutionary product to the Optic White® line, Colgate® Optic White® PLATINUM™ Express White Toothpaste. This breakthrough formula is Colgate’s fastest whitening toothpaste to date. The toothpaste contains 2x more of the whitening ingredient, Hydrogen Peroxide. Having a radiant and polished look is quick and easy with Colgate® Optic White® Platinum™ Express White.

I received a sample from Colgate-Palmolive for review purposes. It really is my new favorite! I have been using it for a few weeks and I really do think that my teeth appear to be whiter. I also like that there is not a bad after-taste, as with some other whitening toothpastes that I have tried. So, if you want a whiter and brighter smile, I highly recommend the Colgate® Optic White® PLATINUM™ Express White Toothpaste.  It’s also quite affordable and easy to find at the store! Looks like my beauty secret is no longer a secret!

Colgate® Optic White® PLATINUM™ Express White Toothpaste

SRP: 0.75 oz tube for $1.00

 

1.45 oz tube for $2.49-$2.79

3.0 oz tube for $3.99-$4.99

4.5 oz tube for $5.79-$6.99

Availability: Mass retailers, and grocery and drug stores nationwide.

 

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample from Colgate-Palmolive for review purposes.

 

Get Set for an Action-Packed Summer of Reading With WordGirl!

Word Up! WordGirl® is ready to save the day – and champion literacy, good grammar and the pursuit of new vocabulary – all summer long! Starting June 3, Scholastic Media’s caped crusader and definition dynamo will fly onto screens from coast-to-coast and flex her crime-solving muscles in 20 never-before-seen episodes on PBS KIDS (check local listings) and PBS KIDS digital platforms, including pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video App.

 

In the new collection of high-flying adventures, WordGirl (a.k.a. Becky Botsford) along with her trusty sidekick, Captain Huggy Face, soar off to protect the innocent residents of Fair City, one new word at a time! With special seasonal episodes for Father’s Day and July 4th, along with stories that feature warm weather-themed fun, young viewers will tag along on exciting vocabulary-filled escapades as they grow their literacy superpowers.

 

Since its launch on PBS KIDS in September 2007, WordGirl has earned a total of 11 Daytime Emmy nominations, taking home wins for “Outstanding Writing in Animation” in 2008, 2012 and 2013, and 2015. WordGirl also is the recipient of a 2008 Television Critics Award for “Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Animation.” Voice talent for WordGirl includes: Dannah Phirman (MadTV) as WordGirl, Chris Parnell (Saturday Night Live) as the Narrator, Ryan Raddatz (Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show) as Mr. Botsford and Scoops, Tom Kenny (SpongeBob Squarepants) as Dr. Two Brains and Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development) as Mr. Big, among others.

 

For more information, videos, games and activities, fans can visit the WordGirl website.

Keep your young wordsmithing heroes busy reading and writing this season with these WordGirl Summer Reading Tips!

WordGirl Summer Reading Tips

Credit: PBS KIDS and Scholastic.


Extreme Thrills, Exotic Animals and Extraordinary Performers Take Circus to Max With The All-New Show Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Circus XTREME

FINAL XTREME AI COLOR LOGO 10-9-14

Prepare to be astonished and amazed by some of the coolest acts ever as Ringling Bros. goes to new extremes with the all-new energetic circus production, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Circus XTREME. Children Of All Ages can let their imagination go wild in an exhilarating adventure with extraordinary circus artists and exotic animals. From the highest mountains to the deepest seas, join us as we explore a world of extreme beauty, flexibility, strength and dexterity in ways you’ve never seen before at The Greatest Show On Earth®. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Circus XTREME blends extreme circus displays for the ultimate family fun entertainment experience, playing at STAPLES Center Los Angeles (July 914); Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario (July 17-21); and Honda Center, Anaheim (July 24-Aug 2). Guided by Ringmaster David Shipman, Circus XTREME pushes the limits of excitement to features artists who redefine the word extreme in everything they do, magnifying beloved traditional elements of the circus and combining them with never-before-seen contemporary spectacles, original fast-paced performances and incredibly hilarious moments.

R145_CannonGemmaKirby3       145_Group Clown Alex Irina

 

Featuring an international assembly of over 100 performers spanning 13 countries around the world, the Ringling Bros. 145th Edition is highlighted by several unique acts including:  Xtreme Sports display featuring BMX freestyle riders, energetic parkour performers, trampoline acrobats and slack line gymnastics tricks  Caravan of Camels – the only act of it’s kind in the world featuring 6 twin-humped Bactrian camels  Bungee Skydivers aerial acro-ballet  World’s youngest human cannonball Gemma “The Jet” Kirby has been shot from the cannon over 500 times  Mongolian Marvels strongmen create a human pyramid with a combined weight of over 880 pound Additional circus elements highlighted in the show including Bengal tiger presenter Taba; daredevil whirling Pendulum of Steel performance; edge-of-your-seat high wire stunts, hilarious poodle tricks; of course no show would be complete without the Ringling Bros. Clown Alley and treasured performing pachyderms! Be sure to arrive early to experience several fun-filled interactive elements before the show starts included with the ticket price – visit the Animal Open House to get up-close with our amazing animal stars and the All Access Pre-Show where families can step onto the arena floor to meet our performers, learn circus skills, try on costumes and much more!

L O S A N G E L E S WHEN: Thursday, July 9 – Tuesday, July 14 Thursday, July 9 7:30 PM Friday, July 10 12:00 PM & 7:30 PM Saturday, July 11 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM Sunday, July 12 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM Monday, July 13 7:30 PM Tuesday, July 14 12:00 PM & 7:30 PM **All shows include the All Access Pre-Show WHERE: STAPLES Center – 1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles 90015

TICKETS: Prices range from $25, $30, $45–$50 (VIP), $100–$110 (Front Row)* Opening Night tickets are only $15 each (not valid for VIP/Front Row seating) *Prices vary between weekday & weekend performances
Tickets available for purchase online at AXS.com, charge by phone at 888-9AXS-TIX or in-person at the venue Box Office. *tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.
O N T A R I O WHEN: Friday, July 17 – Tuesday, July 21 Friday, July 17 7:30 PM Saturday, July 18 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM Sunday, July 19 11:30 AM & 3:30 PM Monday, July 20 7:30 PM Tuesday, July 21 12:00 PM & 7:30 PM **All Ontario shows include both the Animal Open House and All Access Pre-Show WHERE: Citizens Business Bank Arena – 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764.
TICKETS: Prices range from $22, $27, $38–$42 (VIP)*, $70 (Front Row) Opening Night tickets are only $15 each (not valid for VIP/Front Row seating) *Prices vary between weekday & weekend performances.
Tickets available for purchase online at AXS.com or CBBankArena.com, charge by phone at 888-9AXSTIX or in-person at the venue Box Office. *tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.
A N A H E I M WHEN: Friday, July 24 – Sunday, August 2 Friday, July 24 7:30 PM Saturday, July 25 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM Sunday, July 26 1:30 PM & 5:30 PM Wednesday, July 29 1:00 PM & 7:30 PM Thursday, July 30 10:30 AM & 7:30 PM Friday, July 31 1:00 PM & 7:30 PM Saturday, Aug. 1 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM Sunday, Aug. 2 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM **All Anaheim shows include both the Animal Open House and All Access Pre-Show WHERE: Honda Center – 2695 E. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806.
TICKETS: Prices range from $20, $25, $30, $42 (VIP), $70–$80 (Front Row)* Opening Night tickets are only $15 each (not valid for VIP/Front Row seating) *Prices vary between weekday & weekend performances.
Tickets available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or in person at the venue Box Office. *tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.

For more information, visit www.Ringling.com or visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Credit: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. No compensation was received to post but I am receiving free tickets to feature.

Leo is Pet of the Week!

Leo, June 11 Pet of the Week

Handsome, stately Leo, age 5, is a cat’s cat. He’s a classic brown tabby and is affectionate as well as independent as the need strikes him—enviable character traits! He’s neutered and ready to go to his forever home. Meet Leo on the shelter side of Companion Animal Village at 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for ID#A460559.

 

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Credit: Companion Animal Village.

Night Buddies Go Sky High by Sands Hetherington

NB3CoverLoRes

Sands Hetherington has released Night Buddies Go Sky High – the third book in the highly regarded, fun-filled children’s book series.

 

Kids will be looking for UFO’s everywhere with this wonderful, exciting adventure tale filled with suspense, laughter, and fun so good they’ll happily go to bed with their flashlights underneath the bed covers, giggling with delight.

 

Night Buddies revolves around the nighttime adventures of a young boy named John, who is not ready to go to sleep, and a bright red crocodile named Crosley who turns up under John’s bed each night. With an imaginary language unto their own and a unique set of technological gizmo’s this unlikely pair sneaks out of John’s house using Crosley’s I-ain’t-here doodad, which makes them invisible to John’s parents.

I received a copy of this book and my son really enjoyed it! It took me a couple of chapters to get into the imaginary language but my son found it entertaining from the start. He thinks the characters and the language they use is really funny. My  son says he recommends for 3rd grade and up. (He is 11). I do think that it is very unique and quite creative! A great Summer read for kids this Summer!

You can find it at Amazon.com.

About the Author:

Sands Hetherington credits his son John for being his principal motivator. Sands raised his son as a single parent from the time John was six. He read to him every night during those formative years. He and young John developed the Crosley crocodile character in the series during months of bedtime story give-and-take. Sands majored in history at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) and has an M.F.A. in creative writing and an M.A. in English from UNC-Greensboro. He lives in Greensboro, NC.

About the Illustrator:

Jessica Love grew up in California, with two artist parents. She studied printmaking and drawing at UC Santa Cruz, then went on to study acting at The Juilliard School in NYC.  Jessica currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, toggling back and forth between her work as an actor and her work as an artist.

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample of the book to facilitate this post.

 

Father’s Day Gift Idea! Wish by Matthew Cordell

Wish_Cover

When an elephant couple embark on a life together, thoughts of children are far away—at first. But as the desire to expand their family grows, they also face some unexpected challenges in the process. After fruitless plans and disappointment there’s hope on the horizon and their deepest “wish” comes true just as it was meant to be.

 

Both touching and uplifting, WISH provides parents everywhere the means to convey to their children just how much they are wanted, thought of, and cherished — even before they came to be. This is a perfect gift for baby showers, first birthdays, as well as Mother’s and Father’s Day.

It’s a delightful story for both children and their parents! I highly recommend this Father’s Day! I loved reading the story and the illustrations are delightful!

ABOUT MATTHEW CORDELL

Matt Cordell personally knows what it’s like to wish. In fact, this book is the heartfelt windfall of him waiting for his wish come true a second time.  Other books Matt has written and illustrated include hello! hello!, Another Brother, and Trouble Gum. He lives in Chicago with his wife, a young daughter, and an even younger son. Visit matthewcordell.com to learn more.

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample of this book to facilitate this post.